Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A birth control pill that contains a progestin but has no estrogen and that prevents uterine implantation of a fertilized egg and thickens cervical mucus, thereby inhibiting sperm motility.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[mini– (from the fact that it contains only a progestin, which is minimally required to prevent pregnancy in individuals for whom estrogen is contraindicated ) + pill.]

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Examples

  • Her mother had an IUD scare, and two of her sisters got pregnant on the progestin-only minipill.

    Still Fumbling In The Dark 2008

  • I was on the minipill when I had all the depression problems because I was told that estrogen would make my migraines worse and also increase my stroke risk.

    Drug Seeking in Primary Care 1 Dinosaur 2007

  • The minipill thickens cervical mucus and thins the endometrium - preventing sperm from reaching the egg.

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • Unlike combination birth control pills, the minipill doesn't contain estrogen.

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • The progestin dose in a minipill is also lower than the progestin dose in any combination oral contraceptive pill.

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • Unlike combination birth control pills, the minipill doesn't contain estrogen.

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • The progestin dose in a minipill is also lower than the progestin dose in any combination oral contraceptive pill.

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • The minipill thickens cervical mucus and thins the endometrium - preventing sperm from reaching the egg.

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • Your health care provider may discourage use of the minipill if you:

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

  • Your health care provider may discourage use of the minipill if you:

    All MayoClinic.com Topics 2010

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